Constitutional Convention Notes

Constitutional Convention

Overview

  • The main question addressed: What were the differing ideological positions on the structure and function of the newly conceived federal government?

Context and Purpose

  • Following Shays’s Rebellion, 55 delegates convened for the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787.
  • Initially, the goal was to amend the Articles of Confederation.
  • Under the influence of figures like James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, the decision was made to create a new Constitution.
  • The aim was to establish a federal government with greater power than under the Articles of Confederation.

Debates Over Representation

  • A key debate centered on how people would be represented in the new federal government.
  • Two main proposals emerged:
    • Virginia Plan:
      • Advocated for a strong, centralized state.
      • Proposed a bicameral legislature (two houses in Congress).
      • Representation in both houses would be based on population.
      • Favored by larger states like Virginia.
    • New Jersey Plan:
      • Called for a unicameral legislature.
      • Each state would have equal representation.
      • Favored by smaller states.

The Great Compromise

  • Resulted from debates over representation.
  • Established a bicameral legislature:
    • House of Representatives: Representation based on state population.
    • Senate: Each state receives equal representation with two votes.

Contentious Issues

  • Another contentious issue was whether enslaved people should be counted for representation.
  • Southern states argued in favor, while northern states questioned their status as non-citizens.

Three-Fifths Compromise

  • Three-fifths of the enslaved population would be added to the population count for representation purposes.
  • Southern delegates wanted assurances that slavery wouldn’t be challenged.
  • The convention agreed to postpone the ban on slavery until 1808.

Voting and Election Outcomes

  • Members of the House of Representatives would be directly elected by the people for two-year terms.
  • Senators would be elected by state legislatures for six-year terms.
  • The president would be elected through the Electoral College, with electors chosen by each state based on population.
  • The election of the president was intentionally removed from direct popular vote and placed in the hands of a select group of electors.

Ratification

  • For the Constitution to be ratified, nine out of thirteen states had to agree.
  • Two opposing sides emerged: Federalists and Anti-Federalists.

Federalists

  • Mostly urban and commercial individuals.
  • Advocated for the Constitution's ratification.
  • Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay wrote essays, known as the Federalist Papers, to explain and support the Constitution.

Anti-Federalists

  • Opposed the Constitution, arguing it granted too much power to the central government.
  • A significant concern was the absence of a Bill of Rights to protect individual liberties.

Outcomes

  • The Federalists ultimately succeeded, partly through better organization and persuasion.
  • They agreed to add a Bill of Rights after ratification to protect individual and state rights from federal overreach.
  • By mid-1788, the Constitution was ratified by the required nine states, becoming the governing document of the United States.